screenwriters toolkit

Our limitations become our characters limitations. Our characters will take on the stereotypes, prejudices & opinions we can’t work through in our own lives. One way to break our characters out of these limitations is to get insight into ourselves and who we’re trying to portray. Your Task: Freewrite on these questions: What makes me know what other people want? What limitations might get in the way of my characters success? What blocks me from knowing another way of being than my own? Now make a list of 10 ways you can gain insight into your own frame of mind as well as the new frame of mind your characters have.

You can learn a thing or two about the way you write by delving into what you like. Your Task: Identify your favorite scene of all times in a movie. Get that movie and watch the scene. Now, let your mind go with a 20 minute Freewrite.

Our own fears can limit what we do and who our characters are. Acknowledging these fears can release their grasp on our work. Your task: Visually brainstorm the topic, “My fears” by creating a mind map. Now, write for ten minutes, answering the question: What does fear look like in my writing life?

More info on making mind maps can be found here:
http://www.jcu.edu.au/studying/services/studyskills/mindmap/howto.html
http://www.peterussell.com/Mindmaps/HowTo.html

Beyond the space where we write, it is important to create the conditions for writing. Your Task: Free-write for 15 minutes, finishing the sentence: I work best when…

Beyond writer’s block, there can be forces that impede our chance and abilities to write. Our capacity to understand and permeate these forces can build our power as a writer. Your Task: In list form, answer the question: What stops me from being the writer I want to be? Now, brainstorm 3 possible solutions for overcoming each obstacle on your list. Plan a date on your calendar to work on one of these solutions.

An exploration into who we are can enhance our ability to explore our characters and the stories of their lives. Your task: Identify your values with the following exercise. Make a list of everything that bothers you (I.E. People being late). Write the opposite action for each list item (I.E. People being on time). Then write an adjective that describes this action (I.E. Timeliness). Here is a list of your subconscious values. Add to it if you’d like. Now, free-write for 10 minutes on the question: How do my values shape the way I write?

Many authors use stereotypes to simplify their work in developing characters and ideas. Wanting to portray someone as lazy or greedy by saying they’re fat, or wanting to portray someone heroic as masculine and unemotional are two examples. This type of writing can lead to hurtful clich?ɬ©s on screen, where viewers who possess qualities similar to, or opposite of the stereotyped caricature feel alienated or angered and drawn away from your story.

Identifying your own stereotypes can advance your writing and supply you with the ability to develop richer characters and more evolved ideas.

Your task: Pick a character trait that you plan on using for a story. (I.E. Lazy, Evil, Sly, Heroic, etc.) Starting with the sentence, “People who are _____ are,” make a list of everything you’ve ever thought, said or heard about people with this character trait. Focus on various aspects of your character, including appearance and ability. And remember, the more honesty you put into this, the more you’ll get out of it.

Now, free-write for 10 minutes.

Confidence in our abilities to write is paramount in our success as a writer. Being reminded of our passions, desires and motivations around writing could boost this confidence. Your task: Write a succinct affirmation about you as a writer. My example: “I am a storyteller - humble to my characters needs & powerful in my abilities to represent their lives in a truthful, affecting & profound way.” Yours can be anything! Once you write it, decorate it and put it somewhere you’ll see often.

Getting to know what we like and dislike about movies can be beneficial in developing our ability to write them. Your task: Make your “Top-Ten Movies Of All Time” list. Now, write a 1-to-2-paragraph review of numbers 2 through 10 on your list. Then write a 2-page review of your #1 movie of all time. Include an in-depth review of plot, characters, structure, timing and it’s ability to fit into or transcend a genre. Include 2 personal details about yourself that helps you connect with this movie.

Creating our writing environment can be crucial for maintaining our inspiration and desire to write. Your task: Do a 10-minute free-write on the topic, “My writing space is…” Out of this free-write, make a list of things you need to create or enhance your writing space. Take care of one of these things this week.